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What is the Best Acne Diet?

Alex Paul
Alex Paul

The best acne diet, i.e., food that helps avoid an acne breakout, is thought to involve a reduced intake of carbohydrates that have a high glycemic index. Low glycemic carbohydrates, as well as lean protein, should make up a large portion of the diet. Foods such as fish and chicken are good sources of protein. A person following an acne diet should try to limit intake of saturated fats, especially from junk food.

It’s only recently that the link between acne and diet has become more clear. There have always been theories that foods such as chocolate or chips result in higher levels of acne, but the reality is more complicated. Research has shown that eating foods that contain carbohydrates with a high glycemic index causes more acne. People who consume lower levels of these carbohydrates tend to have less severe, and less frequent, acne breakouts.

High-glycemic carbohydrates may make acne worse.
High-glycemic carbohydrates may make acne worse.

Some foods which are thought to be important in an acne diet include fresh vegetables and fruit. Foods with high amounts of saturated fat should be avoided where possible. Sugary drinks, such as soda, may also make acne worse. Eating more whole grains, including replacing white bread with whole wheat, is also thought to be important.

Lean proteins are another essential part of an acne diet. Some good sources are fish, chicken, and turkey. Fish is especially healthy to eat, as it contains high amounts of omega 3, a fatty acid that has a number of health benefits. When eating chicken or turkey, remove the skin first and either bake or grill the meat. Lean cuts of beef are okay as long as any fat has been removed before cooking.

People on acne diets should avoid junk food.
People on acne diets should avoid junk food.

Other tips for maintaining an acne diet include eating lots of peas, beans, and lentils, which are high in protein, and switching to low fat dairy products. Eggs may or may not be the healthiest choice, but provide protein and are versatile when cooking. While reducing carbohydrate intake is thought to be helpful in treating acne, it’s still essential to maintain a healthy, balanced diet.

Even the best acne diet will likely not cure the problem completely.
Even the best acne diet will likely not cure the problem completely.

It’s important for people with acne to understand that even the best acne diet will probably not cure the problem completely. It can, however, reduce the severity of breakouts. An acne diet is generally a healthy diet too, so cutting back on the intake of high-glycemic carbohydrates may minimize the chance of other health problems. It may take several weeks of eating a healthy diet before a person notices a difference in his or her acne, however.

Discussion Comments

candyquilt

I think the best anti-acne diet is one that's formulated for the type of acne someone is suffering from.

I benefited from a candida diet because my acne was actually caused by a fungal infection on my skin. Fungi feed on yeast and sugars. When I limited the amount of grain and sugar I ate, my breakouts decreased substantially.

I'm sure that this diet wouldn't work so well for someone who has acne due to hormonal issues.

So, at the end of the day, it's best to see a doctor and figure out what the problem is first. And then you can determine what kind of diet you should be on.

ddljohn

A low-glycemic diet works for acne because all the bad stuff that aggravates acne like fried, processed and refined foods are high-glycemic foods.

It's also been shown that metabolic disorders which are caused by eating unhealthy foods weaken the immune system. I think that the immune system is very important for treating acne. Eating a healthy, balanced diet with nutrients and vitamins strengthens immunity and allows the body to fight the bacteria that leads to acne.

ZipLine

I don't think that there is such a thing as a diet for acne. But people with acne try various diets to see if it will benefit them. I've heard people try vegan diets, candida diets, no-carb diets, and others hoping that it will cure their acne.

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    • High-glycemic carbohydrates may make acne worse.
      By: Ocskay Bence
      High-glycemic carbohydrates may make acne worse.
    • People on acne diets should avoid junk food.
      By: Photographee.eu
      People on acne diets should avoid junk food.
    • Even the best acne diet will likely not cure the problem completely.
      By: Cheryl Casey
      Even the best acne diet will likely not cure the problem completely.
    • Lean proteins are an important part of an acne diet.
      By: HLPhoto
      Lean proteins are an important part of an acne diet.